Air travel’s already gone through some wild changes, but it’s nowhere near finished. The days of cramped seats, sky-high prices, and guilt about your carbon footprint? Those are on the way out. Aviation’s heading for a major upgrade. By 2035, flying looks cleaner, smarter, and honestly, a lot more comfortable. Here’s what’s coming.
Right now, planes churn out almost 4% of the world’s greenhouse gases. Hydrogen-powered aircraft aim to flip that script. By 2035, you’ll probably see commercial planes flying on hydrogen, leaving behind nothing but water vapor.
Forget the old tube-and-wing look. Futuristic planes like KLM’s “Flying-V” are in the works, blending the wings and the body together. This new shape boosts fuel efficiency by up to 20%, and they look pretty sleek, too.
No more squeezing into narrow seats just to fit a few more passengers. Airlines are rethinking cabins from the ground up. Imagine double-decker economy rows or business pods that actually give you some space and privacy.
The era of electric air taxis is just about here. Companies like Lilium and Volocopter are building flying rides you can actually call for a quick trip across the city. By the late 2020s, hopping in an air taxi might feel as normal as catching a bus — just, you know, with a much better view.
5. Return of Supersonic Flights
Supersonic travel is coming back in style. United and a few others want to bring back flights that zip you across the Atlantic in just a few hours. Think Concorde, but faster and hopefully not as expensive.
6. Immersive In-Flight Entertainment
Long-haul flights are about to get a lot less boring. VR and AR headsets let you explore, play, or learn while you’re cruising at 35,000 feet. Expect smarter lighting, quieter cabins, and whole new ways to relax so those long hours in the air don’t feel so endless.
By 2035, flying won’t just be faster or greener — it’ll actually be exciting again.
